"A hundred years from now the phrases I let drop here and there, in the books and in the letters, will be studied to prove this or that about me, I know it. But now, even now, I am struck by the prophetic element which is an essential part of me." ------------- Henry Miller, letter to Lawrence Durrell, January 1939
(Durrell-Miller Letters, 1935-80; p. 112)

Thursday, March 15, 2007

Miller in the Online Archives of California

The Online Archives of California database reveals an extensive collection of Millerania availablefor research at academic institutions in the state of California. As an online resource, it mostly only offers basic information about collections, such as dates of correspondence with various people.

But a goldmine of Henry Miller photographic images may be found in the OAC's Johan Hagemeyer Portrait Collection [links below]. This collection of eleven photographs of Henry Miller (and a couple of his infant daughter, Valentine [incorrectly identified as his son, Tony]) are fully viewable on your computer as large, high resolution images. Henry was 55 at the time.

Johan Hagermeyer (1884-1962) [at left] was a Dutch-born photographer. His original career pursuit of Horticulture brought him to America. His photographic inspiration happened in 1916. By 1923, he had established his first studio at Carmel, California, which became his home base for over 20 years. On July 7, 1946, Hagermeyer visited Henry Miller at his home on Anderson Creek in Big Sur. The photographs in this OAC collection are all dated from this visit. The following year, Hagermeyer left his Carmel roost due to his dislike of the commercialzation of the area. He died in 1962.

I have now erased the name of Man Ray (whom I like a lot) from that photographic file in my computer and replaced it by Johan Hagermeyer. Thanks for that info.

On the other hand, I’m sure that the photos of Henry’s child (taken in 1946) are of his daughter Valentine, born November 19, 1945. Tony was born on August 28, 1948. The Bancroft Library at UC Berkely made a little mistake here...Take Care!